‘Riverdale’ Exclusive: Is Kevin and Archie’s Conversation a Slam Dunk?

Tonight’s new episode of Riverdale is titled “Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four: Dirty Dancing”, but based on Decider’s exclusive clip from the hour, it could have also been titled “Tentative Basketball Conversation”. Sure, that doesn’t have the same ring to it, but in the scene we see Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) and Kevin Keller (Casey Cott) dancing around two sides of a conversation where they just can’t quite connect.

To set things up, first and foremost you should know that the final season of the series is set back in the 1950s, with the cast once again playing Juniors in High School, now bereft of their memories of the murder and sex-filled first six seasons. This has led to a more earnest and comic book classic take on the characters, but it’s also led to situations like Kevin getting recloseted.

Luckily, even in this repressive era, Kevin has finally figured out his sexuality, and bonded/sort of started dating fellow student Clay Walker (Karl Walcott). His former girlfriend Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) also knows he’s gay, as do a few other townspeople. But most folks in Kevin’s life have no idea he prefers men to women.

That includes his father, Tom Keller (Martin Cummins), the town’s sheriff, who is dealing with the confusing signals he’s getting from his son by trying to man him up. Or more specifically, signing him up for basketball, even though Kevin has no interest — or coordination.

“Hey Kev, you and I have been in the same grade since Kindergarten,” Archie asks once they’re alone on the court. “Why basketball? Why now?”

“Um, it was my Dad’s idea,” Kevin answers. “I just think he wants me to be a regular guy.”

Archie, of course, is confused. But whereas Kevin’s father is questioning his sexuality, nobody is questioning Archie’s. First, he was engaged to be married to Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) after they lied about going “all the way.” Then in last week’s episode, Archie and Betty stripped down to their skivvies for each other, albeit while watching from the windows in their respective houses — before getting caught.

In this week’s episode, the news quickly comes out about the Andrews/Cooper peep show, and while Betty is grappling with her own frustrating issues after the fall-out, Archie isn’t feeling particularly comfortable being hailed by all the boys (and some men) in town as a hyper-masculine hero.

“What does that even mean?” Archie continues.

“You know, a guy who likes sports,” Kevin adds. “Who does, like, what you did with Betty. Who isn’t interested in things like poetry and drama and music and movie stars.”

The thing is, as has already been established in this season, and previous seasons: Archie does like all of those things. In the 1950s era, he’s been experimenting with poetry in particular, versus his music career in earlier seasons of the show. But all the pursuits that the Riverdale adults would describe as “not manly” are things that Archie is interested in.

You’ll have to watch tonight’s episode at 9/8c on The CW to see how things turn out as Archie and Kevin’s relationship, both with each other and with the people around them, grows more complicated. And you can watch the rest of the clip above.

Here’s a full synopsis with more info about the episode.

“Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Four: Dirty Dancing”

“AMERICAN GRANDSTAND” — Fearing that Betty (Lili Reinhart) is going down the wrong path, Alice (Madchen Amick) forces her to join the after-school dance show, “American Grandstand.”  Meanwhile, Kevin (Casey Cott) is forced by Tom (guest star Martin Cummins) to join the Riverdale High basketball team, and Veronica (Camila Mendes) finds herself cut off by her parents.  KJ Apa, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch and Drew Ray Tanner also star.  Jesse Warn directed the episode written by Aaron Allen (#707).  Original airdate 5/10/2023.